Over 750,000 Unite for the Women’s March in Los Angeles

A huge gathering of people from all over Los Angeles convened in Downtown LA for the Women’s March, one day after Donald Trump was sworn into office. People attended solo, girlfriends came in groups, and families brought their children in strollers. Organizers estimate that a crowd of 750,000 are in attendance, all in demonstration that the United States is a place that welcomes and embraces it’s neighbors without prejudice. After torrential rains the day prior, the 60 degree weather was a perfect atmosphere for marching, and to experience the all-day event.

According to the organizers, the Women’s March mission reads in part, “We stand together in solidarity for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health and our families–recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.” The peaceful demonstrated began at 10 AM in Pershing Square and is expected to end at City Hall at 4 PM. However, so many participants flooded the city streets that all of downtown is engulfed with people carrying signs or wearing t-shirts using their freedom of expression.

Here is a small sample of what was written on the signs:

Hillary Clinton was remembered by many at the Women’s MarchPhoto by Kelly Chapman

Faith, hope and love, and the greatest is love.

Love Trumps Hate

Hillary

HerStory

My body, my choice

And many bearing R-Rated language directed squarely at the new President.

Thousands attended the Women’s MarchPhoto by Kelly ChapmanSigns at the Women’s March LA.Photo by Deanna Devescovi

Jane Fonda was a main celebrity in attendance at the event, comfortably and confidently walking amongst the crowd. Other celebrity sightings include Kym Whitley, Barbra Streisand, Yvette Nicole Brown, Laverne Cox, Kerry Washington, and more.

An iconic photo of Amandla Stenberg.By Ron Dadon via Instagram.Signs at the Women’s March LA.Photo by Deanna Devescovi

Less than 24 hours after being sworn in, the whitehouse.gov site has removed the Civil Rights, Healthcare and LGBTQ pages from the website. Although the Women’s March is not being called a protest, the timing is very opportune.

Many who attended the Women’s March have voiced concerns with the possibility that the Trump administration will overturn several of the laws that Barack Obama has put in place. Below is a list of some of the more notable Civil Rights Laws passed under the Obama Administration:

Overcoming years of partisan gridlock, the President worked with Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and sign into law in October 2009. This Act extends the coverage of Federal hate crimes law to include attacks based on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

In June 2009, President Obama issued a directive on same-sex domestic partner benefits, opening the door for the State Department to extend the full range of legally available benefits and allowances to same-sex domestic partners of members of the Foreign Service sent to serve abroad. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) also expanded federal benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees and allowed same-sex domestic partners to apply for long-term care insurance.

In July 2014, the President signed an Executive Order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against any employee or applicant for employment “because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin,” continuing to set an example as a model employer that does right by its employees.

The President signed bipartisan legislation to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell on December 22, 2010, allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans to serve openly in the Armed Forces without fear of being dismissed from service because of who they are and who they love, putting in motion the end of a discriminatory policy that ran counter to American values.

Attendees traveled by bus, train and more. The Metro Stations were packed full, and uber rates were as high as $75-$100 due to demand. The peaceful event seemed worth the effort to all who attended.